IMPHAL, June 28: A huge security blanket will be provided to escort 240 loaded oil tankers into the State tomorrow amidst the indefinite economic blockade imposed by the Maun Tombing group of the All Tribal Students`™ Union Manipur.
According to a highly placed source, the special arrangement was taken during a security meeting chaired by the State DGP Shahid Ahmed and convened at the Police headquarter this morning at 10.
During the meeting it was resolved that for the special arrangement the normal security provision of a CRPF group escorting the tankers upto the Manipur border from where another group of the CRPF used to escort the tankers will not be followed.
According to the sources, the 240 loaded tankers escorted by a CRPF team will leave Khatkhati in Assam tomorrow at 1am.
The contingent will be met by another CRPF team, which will be escorting more than 100 empty tankers from Imphal, at Mao Gate tomorrow.
The loaded tankers which will be escorted by two teams of CRPF on entering the Mao Gate will also be supported by additional forces of the SP, Senapati, OC Senapati, OC Gamnom Sapermeina from Taphou Kuki upto Kanglatogbi.
It is also learnt that on top of the CRPF and State police security blanket, Assam Rifles personnel under the 57 Mountain Division and IGAR (S), Assam Rifles will be guarding the highway and will coordinate with both the CRPF and the State forces.
The 240 loaded tankers are carrying Kerosene, diesel, petrol and ATF.
Sources have also informed that the daily need of fuel in the State is 20 KL of ATF, 80 MT of LPG, 100 KL of kerosene, 127 KL of petrol and 241 KL of diesel and the present stock position is seven days of petrol, 12 days of diesel, 20 days of kerosene, two days of LPG and 10 days of ATF.
It is also learnt that the State government`™s special arrangement was following ardent requests from the All Manipur Petroleum Tankers`™ Drivers`™ Union, All Manipur Petroleum Transporters`™ Association, State level Co-ordinator IOC, senior depot manager.